Comelec: 28 DSWD programs exempted from poll spending ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Election (Comelec) has granted the Department of Social Welfare’s (DSWD) request to exempt 28 programs from the 2025 midterm elections’ spending ban, subject to three additional conditions for “strict compliance.”

In a memorandum released to reporters on Wednesday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body approved to exempt the following DSWD programs:

1. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
2. Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
3. Services for Residential and Center-based Clients
4. Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP)
5. Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens
6. Implementation of RA No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016
7. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – COMBASED
8. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – PROPER
9. Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees)
10. Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons
11. Assistance to Persons with Disability & Senior Citizens
12. National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
13. KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB
14. Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP)
15. Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn)
16. PAMANA – Peace & Development
17. PAMANA – DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood
18. Pag-Abot Program
19. Philippine Food Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program (WGP)
20. Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)
21. KALAHI-CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF)
22. Beneficiary First Project (BFIRST)
23. Trust Receipt
24. Tara Basa! Tutoring Program
25. Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty – National Program Management Office
26. Social Technology Development and Enhancement
27. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)
28. Financial assistance that is routinary and normally given by the department to qualified individuals

Sections 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits the use of public funds for social welfare and services projects during the election period, according to the Comelec.

With this, Garcia further noted that the DSWD must strictly comply with three additional provisions, also stated in the memorandum:

1. No candidates or politicians during the distribution of ayuda in whatever nature or form.
2. Furnish the Comelec of the guidelines committed by the DSWD in its public announcements.
3. Faithful observance of these guidelines by the DSWD and its personnel and partners.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian submitted the agency’s exemption request on December 19, 2024, covering the department’s “promotive and protective services programs, projects, and activities.”

“The letter requests for exemption from the provision of Section 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code, as implemented by Resolution No. 11060, promulgated on 13 September 2024 for purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections, and BARMM Parliamentary Elections,” the Comelec’s memorandum read.

READ: Comelec exempts 9 DOLE programs from poll spending ban

Last December, Comelec also exempted nine programs under the Department of Labor and Employment from the election spending ban.